Viscount Alexander Public School launches new and renewed green initiatives in and around the building

Andrea Helfer & Oli Campbell

As the new academic year begins, Viscount Alexander Public School is embracing several environmental initiatives aimed at fostering environmental stewardship amongst students. This includes a pilot composting program, enhanced recycling efforts, and very likely the creation of a mini forest on school grounds.

The drive toward a greener school environment aligns with direction from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB), which has passed a motion directing all district schools to implement organic waste collection by the 2024-2025 school year. To pave the way for this transition, a pilot project was launched by the OCDSB at six schools in the spring of 2024. Although Viscount Alexander Public School was not among the schools initially chosen, it is now taking proactive steps in this direction with its own composting pilot in three classrooms.

The program will use charcoal filter compost bins, purchased with funds raised by a lemonade stand at the Action Sandy Hill Eco Fair in June. Oli and Hussein, entering grades 3 and 4 respectively, hosted the fundraiser, which raised $150 thanks to the warm support of the Sandy Hill community. Oli shares: “It’s good that we have compost bins for this year. We make a lot of organic waste, so that means we need a good way to get rid of it. When we compost it turns back into dirt and dirt grows food.”

These efforts reflect broader concerns about waste management. According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, organic waste in municipal landfills contribute nearly one-quarter of Canada’s methane emissions – contributing significantly toward climate change.

In addition to composting, Viscount is renewing its commitment to recycling. During the pandemic, recycling programs were halted, and reestablishing them has proven challenging. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that recycling support is not currently included in custodians’ collective agreements. Despite these challenges, the custodians have shown a great willingness to support the school’s recycling efforts.

To bolster recycling education, the school is introducing a fun element for students: the “Little Monsters on a Mission.” These whimsical characters will appear in the school display case and classroom posters, aiming to make recycling education both entertaining and more effective.

Students have expressed a need for more comprehensive environmental education and reinforcement of recycling practices to build lasting habits, so we’re hopeful that the City of Ottawa’s Public Works Outreach Team will prioritize a visit to Viscount early in the academic year to further generate momentum around these initiatives.

In addition to composting and recycling, the school continues its successful organic garden, which is now in its second year and producing a bountiful harvest. And we’re excited about plans for a “mini forest,” supporting efforts to enhance urban biodiversity, expand the tree canopy, and improve soil health.

Looking ahead, we hope to see the OCDSB invest more resources into supporting school-based greening initiatives, environmental education, and ensuring that waste-diversion programs are adequately resourced and standardized across all schools in the district.